Spectral theory of random Schrödinger operators. A genetic introduction (Q1189513)

The book is devoted to the branch of mathematics that has a number of origins (spectral analysis, probability, differential and finite difference equations, mathematical and theoretical physics) and is connected with many fields. These diversities make the branch rather appealing and interesting but also rather difficult. There exist monographs by \textit{R. Carmona} and \textit{J. Lacroix} [Spectral theory of random Schrödinger operators (1990; Zbl 0717.60074)] and by \textit{L. Pastur} and \textit{A. Figotin} [Spectra of random and almost-periodic operators (1992; Zbl 0752.47002)] and a number of reviews. The present book gives a kind of an elementary introduction. The author chooses two rather characteristic problems of the field. First one concerns the asymptotics of the integrated density of states for small positive spectral parameter in the case when the random potential of the Schrödinger equation is \(q(x) = \sum_ j \phi(x-x_ j)\), \(x\in \mathbb{R}^ d\), where \(\phi(x)\) is nonnegative and fastly decaying at infinity and \(\{x_ j\}\) is the Poisson field in \(\mathbb{R}^ d\). The second problem concerns the existence of the Lyapunov exponents for the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation with a random ergodic potential and the coincidence of the null-set of the Lyapunov exponent with the absolutely continuous spectrum of respective operator. The first problem reduces to the large deviation studies for the Wiener process and the second problem requires developing of an analogue of the Weyl-Titchmarsh- Floquet theory for ergodic potentials. The author devotes Sections 1-4 of the book to a heuristic discussion of these and related problems. Sections 4-6 contain the exposition of rigorous proofs of respective theorems which belong to M. Donsker and S. Varadhan and to S. Kotani, respectively. The book assumes no particular background and can be recommended to a general reader.